"The trial cannot continuously be kept in a situation of uncertainty," Presiding Judge Luisa Ponti said in announcing the court's decision.

Ponti said the court on Monday would set new hearings based on the availability of the prime minister. It was not clear how that would affect the overall timing of the trial.

Berlusconi, a conservative business magnate, is accused of bribing judges in Rome to sway a ruling on the sale of state-held food conglomerate SME in the 1980s.

Berlusconi, who denies any wrongdoing, said he was not worried by the ruling.

"It will probably be possible to set some dates where I can go to Milan and attend the trial," he said. "I will have the chance to illustrate to the court--but also to the citizens, since this trial has become a public affair--how things really went."

News reports said the panel of judges would remain the same for the two trials.